Which type of processing predicts that deeper information processing results in a longer-lasting memory trace?

The choice of the levels of processing model as the correct answer is backed by the model's fundamental premise that the depth of processing plays a critical role in how well information is stored in memory. This concept was proposed by Craik and Lockhart in 1972. According to this model, there are different levels of processing: shallow (such as focusing on the physical characteristics of words) and deep (such as focusing on the meaning of the words or relating them to existing knowledge).

When information is processed at a deeper level—through methods such as elaboration, semantic processing, or making connections—it tends to create more complex and durable memory traces. This deeper engagement with the material tends to lead to better retention and retrieval of the information compared to surface-level processing, which is often fleeting.

The maintenance rehearsal option, while relevant to memory retention, primarily involves the repetition of information to keep it in short-term memory rather than focusing on the depth of processing, which is why it does not align with the prediction made by the levels of processing model. Implicit memory refers to unconscious retrieval of information and does not specifically address the depth of processing. Heuristics are mental shortcuts used for problem-solving and decision-making, which do not pertain to the processes involved